TOYANG (too young) | renmin

you're still the one

“Aalis ka na nga, ang aga mo pa umuwi.”
 

Agad na lumingon si Renjun sa tabi ng cubicle niya at nakitang nakatayo na sa tabi niya ang manager nila.
 

“Ngayon lang po. Jaemin’s waiting for me na daw po kasi sa labas.”
 

Ma’am Chel’s eyes widen along with her smile when she heard about Renjun’s boyfriend. Jaemin, after being introduced to Renjun’s workmates, had been the whole team’s boyfriend na rin. It’s an inside joke sa team nila, actually, kung paanong si Jaemin na boyfriend ni Renjun ay naging boyfriend na ng bayan.
 

Ever since the boy was promoted kasi, it became his habit to order food deliveries for Renjun. Sometimes Jaemin make dishes from their own restaurant delivered to Renjun. Tapos one time, when he went to Renjun’s workplace to fetch the older, biniro siya ng mga katrabaho ng nakatatanda na inggit na inggit daw sila sa lunch ni Renjun everyday. The next day, Jaemin started ordering extras for Renjun’s team na rin. Dessert lang naman or snacks. But for them who were just kidding, it’s already too much. They were flustered by it so they told Renjun to make Jaemin stop ordering for them too. Jaemin didn’t stop though. Pero ‘yung pa-ayuda niya sa workmates ni Renjun hindi na araw-araw katulad ng lunch ng boyfriend niya.
 

“Dapat pinapasok mo sa lounge! Saan daw ba naghihintay?”
 

Renjun giggled before lifting his backpack.
 

“Sa parking po. Sakto lang naman po kasi ‘yung dating niya.”
 

Ma’am Chel nodded her head and made a face. “Kaya ka ata aalis kasi gusto mo na solohin si pogi eh. Sabihin mo pwede namang hindi na siya manlibre sa ‘min.”
 

One of his co-workers laughed at what their manager said. Magsisimula na naman ang asaran nila. Pampagising. Probably because some of them will have to overtime tonight.
 

“Hindi mo na po mapipigalan ‘yan, Ma’am Chel! Noong isang araw pa siya nag-start mag-render!”
 

Ma’am Chel only looked at him with saddened expression, defeated. Tinawanan niya ito at kinawayan na habang papalabas.
 

Renjun only worked with them for more than a year. He literally just gained experience from the company and now he feels slightly guilty. He’ll be working under his Dad soon. It was the plan in the first place, before Jaemin happened, that he’ll be working under his Dad after graduating.
 

His Dad’s company offered a lot at hindi niya kayang tumanggi. Disregarding the ‘sama ng loob’ he has for his father, he needs the money and the benefits.
 

Adulting, Renjun never really thought about it. He wasn’t introduced with the responsibilities when he was under his parent’s roof. Everything was set on the table. Now that he’s on that age, it’s shocking. The bills to pay, araw-araw na gastos, mga kailangan sa bahay, kailangan niya, kailangan ni Jaemin. It’s a lot. They make much more money now, but it’s not enough for their plans. And Renjun will do whatever he can para masimulan na nila ‘yung plano nila.
 

He thinks Jaemin is doing his best din. In a year, they made huge steps in their life na. First sweldo nila as employed and promoted, they renovated the house a little. Minimal changes lang to make it look more homey and comfortable. ‘Yung pangalawa, they went on a trip with Nanay, Tatay, and their friends. Birthday celebration ni Renjun na partially sponsored ng parents niya. Tapos ‘yung mga sumunod inipon na nila. And then they decided to buy a car in installment. Jaemin shoulders it while Renjun pays the bills. Hati sila sa pagkain at iba pa.